Osa Massen was an American actress, originally from Denmark, best known for her roles in “The Master Race,” “Deadline at Dawn,” and “A Woman’s Face.”
Personal and Family Life
Osa Massen was born Aase Madsen Iversen on January 13, 1914, in Copenhagen, Denmark. She was married three times, with her first husband, Allan Hersholt, ending in divorce, and her second marriage to Harvey Robert Cummins lasted until his death. Her final marriage was to Stanley William Vogel, which ended in divorce in 1962. Massen was not only an actress but also worked as a newspaper photographer and had skills in multiple languages, which she used as a dialect coach throughout her career.
Career
Starting her career in Denmark, Osa Massen quickly moved to Hollywood after impressing with her screen test at 20th Century Fox. She appeared in many films during the 1940s and was known for her versatility in roles. Despite the common confusion with other actresses, she maintained her stage name and contributed significantly to the film industry, even serving on the foreign film selection committee for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences after retiring.
Death and Legacy
Osa Massen passed away on January 2, 2006, in Santa Monica, California, due to complications following surgery. She left behind a legacy marked by her diverse roles in film and her contributions as a dialect coach. Her work continues to be remembered in classic film circles, showcasing her influence in both acting and film production.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Jack London | 1943-12-24 | Freda Maloof |
| A Woman’s Face | 1941-05-09 | Vera Segert |
| Deadline at Dawn | 1946-03-18 | Helen Robinson |
| Background to Danger | 1943-07-03 | Ana Remzi |
| You’ll Never Get Rich | 1941-09-25 | Sonya |
| Cry of the Werewolf | 1944-08-17 | Elsa Chauvet |
| Rocketship X-M | 1950-06-02 | Dr. Lisa Van Horn |
| Million Dollar Weekend | 1948-10-29 | Cynthia Strong (as Stephanie Paull) |
| Honeymoon in Bali | 1939-09-29 | Noel Van Mess |
| Honeymoon for Three | 1941-01-18 | Julie Wilson |
| Devil Pays Off | 1941-11-10 | Valeria DeBrock |
| Accent on Love | 1941-07-11 | Osa |
| The Master Race | 1944-09-22 | Helena |
| Night Unto Night | 1949-06-10 | Lisa |
| The Black Parachute | 1944-05-04 | Marya Orloff |
| Kidnapped | 1935-01-10 | Grethe |
| Tokyo Rose | 1946-02-08 | Greta Norburg |
| Outcasts of the City | 1958-01-10 | Leda Mueller |
| Undercover: How to Operate Behind Enemy Lines | 1943-01-01 | Sailor’s Girlfriend |
| Strange Journey | 1946-10-03 | Christine Jenner |
| Iceland | 1942-09-21 | Helga Jonsdottir |
| The Gentleman Misbehaves | 1946-02-28 | Chincilla |
| Richard Diamond, Private Detective | 1957-07-01 | Janet Morrisey |
| Climax! | 1954-10-07 | Sister Veronica |
| Perry Mason | 1957-09-21 | Lisa Bannister |
| Hallmark Hall of Fame | 1951-12-24 | Ernestine Schumann-Heink |
| Schlitz Playhouse of Stars | 1951-10-05 | Eva |
| Robert Montgomery Presents | 1950-01-30 | Lis Holbeck Poulson |
| Telephone Time | 1956-04-08 | |
| Code 3 | 1957-04-02 | |
| Behind Closed Doors | 1958-10-02 | |
| Perry Mason | 1957-09-21 | Sarah Werner |
| Perry Mason | 1957-09-21 | Lisa Pedersen |